22. Earlier this summer, the federal Department of Fisheries and
Oceans announced the re-opening of the recreational food fishery,
something we haven't seen in our province since 2001. Here is an excerpt of the
release from D.F.O.:

The management measures for
the 2006 Recreational Groundfish fishery are as follows:

Recreational fishing for
cod and other groundfish will be permitted in all areas of
the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NAFO Divisions
2J3KL, 4RS3Pn and 3Ps).

The season will be five
weeks long, opening on August 1 and closing on September 4,
2006.

There is no requirement
for tags or licenses.

A daily bag limit of 5
fish per individual and a boat limit of 15 will be closely
monitored.

The department will
monitor fishing activity level and catch rates to estimate
removals.

DFO Fishery Officers will
closely monitor activity and failing to comply with the
management measures governing the 2006 Recreational
Groundfish Fishery could result in charges under the
Fisheries Act.

21. This announcement sparked excitement in a lot of our crew as
we set about fashioning hand lines, lures and Gaffs, and getting boats ready for
the salt water.

20. Many of us hadn't been on the salt water in years and either
never or only rarely had a chance to jig a cod like older generations of
Newfoundlanders.

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16. French and I made quite a few
trips in his Honda powered 14' Princecraft Aluminum boat managing
our quota on most trips. Not only did we have to re-learn jigging,
but to clean & fillet our catch as well!

15. We also had a couple trips in Sooley's larger
Fibreglass speedboat launching it from the marina in St. Phillip's.

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1. It was an awesome experience, one I hope D.F.O. will maintain in the future.